The American Society of Breast Surgeons Position on Mammography
Topic Info
In a dramatic reversal that has stirred wide debate, a key government panel has recommended that women should begin mammograms at 50 - not 40.
The decision by the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force, a panel of experts that advises doctors on medical care, overhauls a treatment philosophy dating back 20 years that says screening for tumors should begin at 40 for women of average breast cancer risk.
The group also says women between the ages of 50 and 74 need to be screened less frequently - every two years as opposed to annually - and that women 75 and older can avoid the test altogether. Another startling recommendation: Doctors should no longer teach women breast self-examination because it serves little benefit.
Dr Beth Baughman DuPree, M.D., F.A.C.S., Chair, The American Society of Breast Surgeons Board of Advocates, comes on the show to discuss the Society's positon on this controversy and clear up the confusion surrounding this recommendation.
Guest Info
Dr. Beth DuPree’s impressive credentials do not capture the humanitarian spirit with which she treats her patients, friends, and acquaintances. Dr. DuPree, a surgeon who is focusing her practice on breast cancer care, believes that using a holistic approach to healing a patient is extremely important. It is her position that marrying both holistic therapies with state-of-the-art, leading-edge technology can lead to better outcomes—even in people with life-threatening disease, such as cancer.
Dr. DuPree strongly urges her patients to seek complementary healing support, whether it is through clinical psychological therapy, spiritual assistance, grief counseling, exercise programs, reflexology, nutritional counseling, Reiki, Yoga, or massage. In fact, she herself is a Master Level Reiki practitioner. Dr. DuPree believes that “whatever it takes to help a person find healing and peace within should be an integral part of their treatment process”.
This vibrant, witty mother of two sons, whose skin-sparing mastectomies performed in conjunction with plastic surgeon Robert Skalicky, D.O., were featured live on the Internet in October 1999, has won numerous awards for her medical work as well as her humanitarian endeavors. The above-mentioned Web cast and subsequent television documentary received a coveted Gracie Allen Award in New York City in April 2000. Additionally, Dr. DuPree was given the Clara Barton Humanitarian Award from the American Red Cross for her on-going contributions to the treatment of breast cancer in 2002, the Visions of Hope Award from Astra Zeneca in December 2002, the Northampton Township Citizen of the Month in February 2003, and the Women Pioneering the Future Award from the Pennsylvania Commission for Women in March 2003. She is on the advisory committee for Gilda’s Club, Young Survivor’s Coalition, and Breast Cancer.org. She is the Chairman of The Board of Advocates of the American Society of Breast Surgeons.
Because of her strong dedication to patients with cancer, Dr. DuPree established a non profit organization called The Healing Consciousness Foundation. This initiative will fund holistic and wellness therapies for women who would otherwise be denied these services, as they are not covered by health insurance.
Dr. DuPree, who received her medical degree from Hahnemann University in 1987, has written a book titled The Healing Consciousness: A Doctor’s Journey to Healing. It is the true story of her journey as a surgeon who awakens to the healer that resides within her. Proceeds from the book will be donated to The Healing Consciousness Foundation.
She is a prominent keynote speaker at many national events primarily addressing women’s health issues, breast cancer, healing, and wellness. Dr DuPree is often featured in live tele-surgeries to educate physicians and healthcare professionals on state of the art medical biopsy techniques utilizing the Mammotome®. She travels throughout the United States training other physicians in breast ultrasound and intervention, hoping to promote a higher quality of care for all women and men requiring breast surgery.
With her years of medical and administrative experience, she has now joined forces with Holy Redeemer Health System in Huntingdon Valley Pennsylvania to recreate her vision of comprehensive , compassionate , cutting edge breast care provided in a healing environment.
A native of York, Pennsylvania, Dr. DuPree lives in Bucks County, Pennsylvania, with her husband Joe and their two sons. Dr. DuPree credits her accomplishments to her family’s constant support.
